Playbills

[Elder_Melchior]

Is there any way to get playbills without actually seeing the show? Can you mail a letter asking or can you just get one at the box office? (This applies to Broadway productions)

[TheThreadMaster]

I have been wondering the same thing lately. Does anyone know if you can just walk in and ask for a playbill?

[Fosse76]

Why would the box office have Playbills? 

[Elder_Melchior]

Fosse76 said: "Why would the box office have Playbills?"

I'm pretty sure they used to give them out, but stopped because people would come into the theatre saying that they lost their tickets and show the playbill as "proof", but I'm not quite sure...

[Rainah]

Elder_Melchior said: "Is there any way to get playbills without actually seeing the show? Can you mail a letter asking or can you just get one at the box office? (This applies to Broadway productions)"

Yes and yes. Some shows if you mail them a letter for a playbill they will ask for a (sometimes fairly sizable) donation to BC/EFA though. 

I walked into DEH and asked for a playbill, they didn't have a problem with it. THe most polite time to do so I think would be after the show has started (Preferably just after it ends) I have had people ask me to wait and ask at intermission so they know they have enough for everyone. 

[bwaylyric]

I've acquired playbills simply by going up to the box office. 

[GreasedLightning]

Fosse76 said: "Why would the box office have Playbills? 

 

"

When I worked for a Nederlander theatre, they used to deliver a bundle of Playbills once or twice per month to the box office, as needed. Monthly so they were up to date. 

[PThespian]

Fosse76 said: "Why would the box office have Playbills? 

 

"

I've never heard of a Box Office not having them....at least in Shubert houses and all the times I've walked into other theaters asking for one for my collection. 

[Hamilfan2]

Just to echo what everyone has said, most Box Offices will give you a Playbill if you just go up and ask for one.  Preferably if you go at a time when they are not busy (It is annoying when there is a line of people waiting to pick up or buy tickets and then someone comes up and asks for a Playbill), so during a show when there isnt much going on the Box Office is the best time.  They usually have Playbills in the Box Office, but I have had a few times where rhey don't and have to go into the theater to get one (or they simply say sorry we don't have any).  General rule of thumb: if you are polite and considerate they will be polite and considerate back.  If you do not live in NY you can write a letter to the stage manager and they will almost always send a Playbill back (sometimes even a signed one, but many theaters have begun asking for a donation for those).  But if you just want an unsigned one most if not all will have no problems accomodating that (just remember to include a self-addressed, stamped envelope).

[Elder_Melchior]

Rainah said: "Yes and yes. Some shows if you mail them a letter for a playbill they will ask for a (sometimes fairly sizable) donation to BC/EFA though. 

I walked into DEH and asked for a playbill, they didn't have a problem with it. THe most polite time to do so I think would be after the show has started (Preferably just after it ends) I have had people ask me to wait and ask at intermission so they know they have enough for everyone."

Okay, wow thank you very much! But, how do you prove that you donated to BCEFA, though? After you donate do you get a receipt that you put in the mail with the playbill as proof?

 

[carolinaguy]

I once saw a patron at Spamalot get into an altercation with an usher over picking up an extra Playbill on the way out. But many times you see stacks of them in the corners unguarded (and I've snagged a few extra over the years with no issues), so in most cases I think a polite request would get you one.

[Will3700]

I've gone to the Box Offices of shows I'm not seeing on my trips to NYC and most will happily give you one. I've even gotten a couple Pride ones they still had copies of ..